Vancouver is set to gain a new incubator for generalist technology startups this fall. Althra has opened applications for its first four-month, in-person cohort in downtown Vancouver, scheduled to run from September to December 2025. The program will support 10 selected early-stage Canadian tech founders with working prototypes and early validation, providing them with free workspace and connections to experienced mentors and potential investors.
About Althra
Althra founder Sanket Mittal, previously an analyst for Graphite Ventures in British Columbia, emphasized the importance of in-person collaboration. “A key thesis for [Althra] was building in person,” Mittal stated in an interview with BetaKit. The incubator will offer limited programming, a dedicated 24/7 workspace, and weekly mentorship from established Vancouver entrepreneurs in areas such as FinTech, AI, and SaaS.
Program Structure
The program will begin with a dinner for participating founders and mentors and conclude with a demo day featuring potential investors and partners. Initially, Althra planned to invest $10,000 CAD in each participant’s company, but due to fundraising challenges, it adopted a no-equity, free space model instead.
Community Support
Althra is leveraging donated office space from The Acquisition Group, volunteer mentors, and Mittal’s network of investors. Adam McKilligan from The Acquisition Group supported Althra, citing the fragmented nature of Vancouver’s tech community and the need for collaboration hubs. “When Sanket shared his vision for Althra… it was an easy decision to get involved,” McKilligan explained.
Mentorship
The incubator’s mentors include notable figures such as ZenHub co-founder Aaron Upright, Loopio co-founder Matt York, and Later co-founder Ian MacKinnon. William Johnson, founder of Vancouver Tech Journal, noted that mentoring at Althra allows him to “actively help founders navigate the early stages.” Matt York emphasized the value of in-person collaboration, stating, “There’s real magic when ambitious people share space and momentum.”
Addressing the Tech Gap
Mittal identified a gap in Vancouver’s tech sector: a lack of incubators for generalist early-stage startups outside university systems or specific verticals. While some local tech leaders were skeptical about this assessment, they agreed that additional spaces for tech entrepreneurs to build together in person are beneficial. Sean Elbe from CDL Vancouver noted that “another group with good intent and a desire to build community is obviously helpful” in fostering a successful entrepreneurship ecosystem.
